A man is missing after he was washed away while trying to cross the Mahurangi River, north of Auckland. Video / Jason Dorday
The search for a driver missing after being swept away in a swollen river north of Auckland has been called off for the day.
Emergency services, including specialist whitewater raft teams and drones, were called in to search the Mahurangi River for a man who was in his vehiclewhen it was washed off a swollen ford.
Warkworth chief fire officer Nick McLean said the service was called at 7.51am after a vehicle was swept downstream at a river crossing on Falls Rd, near the intersection with Woodcocks Rd.
Police have confirmed the passenger escaped and raised the alarm.
A police Search and Rescue team was deployed to the area.
Senior Sergeant Carl Fowlie said they would carry out a shore-based search near the river across the afternoon.
Police assisted Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews, while five whitewater rafts were searching from the ford at Mansel Drive to the area around the Mahurangi Hope Church.
Police said at 5.30pm that they had been stood down from the Mahurangi River area for today.
“The man is still outstanding. Police will reassess the situation tomorrow in terms of further searching.”
A search and rescue team pictured near the intersection of Falls Rd and Mansel Drive, Warkworth, after a man and his vehicle were washed away on Wednesday morning. Photo / Jason Dorday
Earlier, Senior Sergeant Dean Roberts told the Herald at the scene multiple resources were being used in the search.
“We’re using a lot of people just on the ground, but we also have the ability from our partner agencies, we’ve utilised drones just to assist with aerial,” Roberts said.
“The weather’s been a bit complicated for us, by using other resources, but we’re continuously reviewing it and trying to get as much as we can here.”
About 20 personnel were assisting, including firefighters, police officers, ambulance and whitewater rafters.
The swollen ford crossing on Falls Rd, Warkworth. A man and his vehicle are missing after being washed away at the crossing on Wednesday morning. Photo / Jason Dorday
An Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent to Snells Beach near Mahurangi.
Signs on both sides of Falls Rd say “roads subject to flooding”.
Police are strongly advising the public to avoid the area and pay close attention to weather warnings.
Emergency services at the Wairere Scenic Reserve in Warkworth during a search for a man and his vehicle washed away at a river crossing on Falls Rd on Wednesday morning. Photo / Jason Dorday
Roberts said while finding the person was vital, the safety of emergency service staff was paramount.
“We need to keep our staff safe, but we also need to appreciate the type of work we’re doing out here and knowing the risk,” he said.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said he was “alarmed” to hear about the missing person who had been trying to cross a river in Warkworth.
“While police, Fire and Emergency and Auckland Emergency Management’s swift water response teams continue the search for the missing man, the incident highlights the importance of staying safe and being prepared,” Brown said.
“Listen to Auckland Emergency Management and please follow their advice.”
Auckland and Aotea Great Barrier Island are currently under an orange-level heavy rain warning.
